Friday, October 30, 2015

Here is a work in progress view of the Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting I am working on. In this wip, I still need to work on the neck area more before I move on to her face. It's unlikely that I'll have this big eye gothic Latina finished in time for this year, but I hope to have her done for next year...

I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday. To see more participants, please visit:

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden. I think she has a sweet and curious look to her... I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or goddess. I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

I took this photograph of some pumpkins at Descanso Gardens a while back. I think they're just right for fall and Halloween. I love both fall and Halloween so much. I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

Monday, October 26, 2015

I am listing "White Lily," an original flower painting. This elegant stargazer daylily floral is set against a light blue sky. The art has a realist impressionist feel...

I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints here this week from Monday to Monday with a theme of white flowers. I have a friend coming into town today, so my schedule is a little different than usual, but I intend to be back to Tuesday starting listings next week; with perhaps a bonus painting somewhere in between now and then...

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to put some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions... I have been updating my website. It's an ongoing project, but there is now an excellent selection of art available!

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden. I think she has a wary and skeptical look, as if the Loch Ness Monster has asked her for tree fiddy... I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or goddess. I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches. To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:

Saturday, October 24, 2015

"Turning" is of a gray horse relaxing amidst some yellow flowers. I love animals and horses are such wonderful beings... The art has a soft realist impressionist feel. This original is sold, but I do have it available as prints and ACEOs!

I transferred the sketch and put some texture down on my current Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting... My friend Rose will be here on Monday and stay until Thursday, the schedule may be a bit different this week and I'll probably post less; she lives in Hawaii and I very rarely get to see her...

My website at http://www.lisarusso.com has many more paintings available, including additional equine art in the assorted art section!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

Friday, October 23, 2015

Here is an updated work in progress view of the marigolds painting I am working on. It's only very subtly different than the wip image I've shared before, I've lightened some elements of the background a little...

I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday. To see more participants, please visit:

Here is the lineart for a Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead big eye gothic maiden. I sketched her face and then traced three different designs over the sketch, this is the one I've decided to go with. Today I'm going to work on some color variations on photoshop and hopefully transfer the sketch to panel. Due to time constraints, I'm going to try to persue the painting with the butterflies perhaps next year. I'm very excited to be having a friend stay with me who I haven't seen in years soon, and there's just so much to do...

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden. I think she has a sweet yet slightly mischievous quality... I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or goddess. I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

I took this photograph of these purple and white bearded irises at Descanso Gardens a while back. I was sorting through some of my photographs and this one jumped out at me. I love the two colors together and the petals are so delicate. Irises are one of my favorite flowers. I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I am listing "Remembrance," an original big eye Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead calavera maiden. This gothic Latina fae is wearing sugar skull make up to celebrate DDLM / DOTD with roses in her hair. This holiday celebrates those we have lost. The art has a lowbrow surreal feel...

I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints here this week from Tuesday to Tuesday with a theme of blue haired gothic fairies, angels, and mermaids.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to put some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions... I have been updating my website. It's an ongoing project, but there is now an excellent selection of art available!

After the auction, "Remembrance" will be available on my website here.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Recently these pieces by artist Catherine Al-Rubaie arrived to me in the mail. I feel so honored to have more of her gorgeous art added to my collection. The top fairy is an original ACEO, imagining painting those tiny little details makes my head spin a little! The bottom two are ACEO prints, the quality is excellent and the prints are lovely. The fairy print at the bottom left is the one I collaborated with her on the character concept art. The grapes at the bottom right I have been in awe of for some time. I love my newest lovely fantasy original surreal by Catherine so much and I am so glad to have the prints as well! She is one of my all time favorite artists! I would highly recommend checking out some of this artist's work here on ebay or if you prefer etsy, she also has art here.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden. I think she is a bit tired and is closing her eyes for a brief respite... I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or goddess. I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches. To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden. Alex saw her on my desk yesterday and while she needs some minor changes, he thinks I should take her further, so I think I may do so at some point... I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or goddess.

Friday, October 16, 2015

"Mushroom Village" is a whimsical piece inspired by some mushrooms in the knoll of a tree. I saw them on one of my visits to Descanso Gardens and took a photograph that I was inspired from at home. The original mushrooms were brown, but for this piece, red was how I felt like going. I may do a larger piece that incorporates a fairy by the mushrooms at some point... The piece has a soft realist impressionist feel touched with magic. This original is sold, but I do have it available as prints and ACEOs!

I've been working on my angel fairy, but I think I lost the folds and need to re re paint... I'm hoping I'll get it eventually, I went to look at some incredible painted folds at the Norton Simon, I'm hoping that will help...

My website at http://www.lisarusso.com has many more paintings available, some of them inspired by additional photographs that I took at Descanso Gardens!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic Latina maiden. Since I've decided to have the other girl be Wednesday Addams, I am exploring possibilities for my Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting this year. DDLM / DOTD is a celebration and she seems quite happy, but I'm I'm not sure yet if she's the one...

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

I took this photograph of a white heron and a black duck at Descanso Gardens a while back. I was at the bird watching station before they made the path around the pond. This was taken from pretty far back, I've cropped the image so that the birds are more visible. The black duck is a regular there, the heron I've seen much more rarely. I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I am listing "Owlie," an original Athene noctua owl painting. Owlie is painted directly on a wood plank and would be great for fall, Halloween, or any time of year! There is hanging hardware on the back of the original so it is ready to hang. The art has a realist impressionist feel...

I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints here this week from Tuesday to Tuesday with a theme of birds and bird friends.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to put some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions... I have been updating my website. It's an ongoing project, but there is now an excellent selection of art available!

Edit: I accidentally used the price for an 11"x14" painting for the original instead of the price for this original painting on plank with the reduction for the promo rate... I'm sorry for the error, see additional images of the painting as well as the new lower price until Tuesday next here.

"La Perrita Roja" is of a red chow chow dog with golden accents. I love animals and this dog is staring up at us so sweetly... This canine art has a realist impressionist feel. This piece is available as an original, as prints, and Limited Edition ACEOs!

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic Latina maiden. I am working on her for my Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting this year. This is my second sketch of her, but she still needs more attention. Once I'm happy with the face, I'll do some different designs for her sugar skull DDLM / DOTD face makeup. Then I'll combine the best one with her face as well as add some monarch butterflies...

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches. To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden. She looks like she is daydreaming about something sweet... I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be an angel fairy or goddess. I'm not sure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Here is an updated work in progress view of an angel fairy painting I am working on. I've subtly changed the shape of her face on one side, added more shading to her eyes, done a little more shading on her neck and face, and done some painting on the folds of the fabric of her toga since the last time I shared this wip. I'm starting to think it may be possible to finish her at some point!

"Petite Fleur de Soleil" is a vibrant yellow sunflower. Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. The art has a realist impressionist feel. I've had this piece as prints and Limited Edition ACEOs on my website for a while, but the original has come back into my collection and I am now able to offer the original painting once more!

My website at http://www.lisarusso.com/ has more art available, including additional sunflowers in the floral art section!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

I took this photograph of a yellow and black butterfly on a pink flower at Descanso Gardens a while back. Butterflies move so quickly most of the time, I often only get to appreciate their beauty in the moment. I was actually able to get a few shots of this beauty, this is one of my favorites of them. I'm not sure the name of flower, but I believe the butterfly may be a Western Tiger Swallowtail. I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I am listing "Hallofaerie," an original big eye fantasy painting of a fairy angel dressed up as a Greek or Roman goddess for Halloween. She is standing next to her favorite fall jack o'lantern pumpkin. She has big brown eyes and long brown hair. The art has a lowbrow surreal feel...

I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints here this week from Tuesday to Tuesday with a theme of fairy angels and garden guardians. I love Halloween, but so far my Hallofaerie is my only Halloween specific painting. I hope to possibly have another by this time next year...

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to put some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions... I have been updating my website. It's an ongoing project, but there is now an excellent selection of art available!

After the auction, "Hallofaerie" will be available on my website here.

Monday, October 5, 2015

It seems with the angel fairy painting I'm working on, I tend to need to paint things more than once. I decided to test two different techniques for folds on a blank panel to see which I thought would work best. Alex feels the lighter colored one works best, so I'm going to give that a try for the work in progress. After all, I can always go in and paint over it in the wip if need be... Thank goodness acrylics are so forgiving!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Here are some of my sketches of monarch butterflies. I'm planning on incorporating some into a Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting that I am in the drawing stages of. The monarch butterly has some interesting symbolism in Mexico, their migration symbolizes the return of loved ones. I thought they would be very fitting in DOTD art. I doubt I'll finish it in time for that holiday this year, but it's a project I feel like working on right now, so I'm going with that feeling...

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches. To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:

"Hills" is a landscape with rolling hills... The original has some texture. There are vibrant fauve colors and confident brushstrokes. It is an older piece and filled with a rich energy. The art has a fauvist expressionist feel. This piece is available as an original, as prints, and Limited Edition ACEOs!

"Virgen de Guadalupe" is a commission painting that I did inspired by the Virgin of Guadalupe, also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. I think she has a very gentle and sweet quality. The piece has a soft realist feel. This original is sold, but I do have it available as prints and ACEOs!

My website at http://www.lisarusso.com has many more paintings available, some of them inspired by the masters in the master art studies section!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Here is a compilation of all of the sketches I did for 29 faces this month. When I first started participating in the challenge, it was very difficult to sketch daily. Now I find that on most days, I really enjoy it. There are some days that I sketch better than others and I also learned that I have a tendency to make a consistent error, so it's something for me to look out for in general. I also enjoyed redrawing some of my sketches, I've marked those with corresponding dots. I'm very glad I participated in the challenge and look forward to doing so again...

The goal is to share 29 faces during the month of September. The challenge is also active in February. To learn more about the challenge, please click here.